Short supply of places to play live for teens

by Ryan Brough

Musicians find age limit restrictions aren’t holding them back from their passion.

With all-age venues like the Chubby Pickle and The Blind Dog closing, it’s becoming harder for underage musicians to perform around the city.

Some bars around the city have agreed to host all ages shows with the condition of drawing a X on each hand, and occasionally the band must leave after they are done playing. Zac Smee, a 17-year-old student at Riverside Secondary High School, has confirmed that the biggest shows his band plays are all-ages shows.

“We played at the Canadian Anglo Club. We booked the venue, the bands and made posters,” said Smee. “All-ages shows give other underagers like my friends from school a chance to come and experience a local show.”

Some cities around the world like London and Sydney have come up with the idea of the 16-and-older venue, but no venues in Windsor have that same rule. There are bands that still play at bars downtown and around the city but it may be hard to get a crowd out when half of their fans or friends may not be able to attend.

Phog Lounge owner Tom Lucier said he’s against the idea of having under age shows.

“When all-ages shows happen, so few of them have been taught how to behave at a show…not to bring in outside coffee or food and to spend money in the establishment holding the show,” said Lucier. “It’s the only way the venue can make it worth their while to hold the show or more like it.”

One big problem with all-ages shows is the bar doesn’t make much money when hosting them.  With the average beer costing $6 and a soft drink being $3, even if someone drinking three soft drinks keeps up with someone having three beers, it’s not as profitable compared to the price they are making off someone who had multiple alcoholic drinks.

“The only problem with young band members, with regards to running a venue that makes money off of alcohol sales, is that the crowd can’t buy anything. If I could sell water for $6 a glass…and people would attend and buy it…I’d do it,” said Lucier.

Playing shows for most is an experience like no other. With there being no age limit on being a performer, it’s wishful thinking that more places where all-ages shows can happen will exist one day.